UFC Fight Night Nashville Results: Stephen Thompson & Anthony Pettis Headline, Plus Curtis Blaydes & Justin Willis Settle Their Rivalry
Welcome to Fightful.com’s live coverage & discussion for UFC Fight Night Nashville. We’ll be bringing you full, fight by fight coverage of every bout on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
Main Card (8pm EST., ESPN+)
#8 (LW) Anthony Pettis def. #3 Stephen Thompson by KO via superman punch (4:55, R2)
#4 Curtis Blaydes def. #10 Justin Willis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
#1 Jussier Formiga def. #4 Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich by TKO via strikes (3:01, R2)
Preliminary Card (5pm EST., ESPN+)
Bryce Mitchell def. Bobby Moffett by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marlon Vera def. Frankie Saenz by TKO via strikes (1:25, R1)
Jennifer Maia def. #5 Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#15 Randa Markos def. Angela Hill by submission via arm bar (4:24, R1)
Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#14 Jordan Espinosa def. #12 Eric Shelton by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#12 Eric Shelton vs. #14 Jordan Espinosa
Round One: The round begins with Espinosa nailing Shelton with a spinning back kick to the midsection, Espinosa starts hunting for takedowns against Shelton. Espinosa also starts attacking Shelton with some leg kicks, Shelton attacks a kicking Espinosa with a two punch combination. Shelton then pops a swinging Espinosa with a counter right hook, Espinosa charges forward and he lands a three strike combination. Espinosa accidentally kicks Shelton low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Espinosa kicking away at Shelton. Espinosa gets Shelton up against the cage wall while looking for a takedown, Espinosa lands a knee strike on Shelton as they separate. Shelton attacks Espinosa with a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Espinosa
Round Two: The round begins with Espinosa attacking Shelton with some leg kicks, Shelton looks to hit Espinosa with counter strikes. Espinosa and Shelton exchange some left hook attempts, Espinosa nails Shelton with a kick to the midsection. Espinosa comes forward and he pops Shelton with a short right, Shelton comes forward and he takes a few swings at Espinosa. Shelton also nails Espinosa with a kick to the midsection, Shelton backs up Espinosa by landing a three punch combination. Espinosa uses the jab to keep Shelton at a distance, Espinosa scores a takedown on Shelton and Shelton gets right back up. Shelton swings at Espinosa as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Espinosa (Overall Score: 20-18 for Espinosa)
Round Three: The round begins with Espinosa popping Shelton with a head kick, Espinosa accidentally pokes Shelton in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Shelton popping Espinosa with a few jabs, Shelton charges forward and he swings away at Espinosa. Espinosa goes for a high kick and Shelton blocks it, Espinosa goes back to attacking Shelton with some leg kicks. Shelton responds by hitting Espinosa with some leg kicks of his own, Shelton eats a body kick before nailing Espinosa with some rights. Espinosa and Shelton swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Shelton (Final Score: 29-28 for Espinosa)
Official Result: #14 Jordan Espinosa def. #12 Eric Shelton by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ryan MacDonald vs. Chris Gutierrez
Round One: The round begins with Gutierrez attacking MacDonald with some leg kicks, MacDonald also lands some leg kicks of his own. Gutierrez nails MacDonald with a kick to the midsection, Gutierrez attacks MacDonald with a variety of kicks. Gutierrez nails MacDonald with a right to the midsection, Gutierrez again nails MacDonald with a kick to the midsection. Gutierrez backs up MacDonald after landing another right to the midsection, MacDonald backs up Gutierrez after throwing a few combos. Gutierrez goes for a spinning elbow strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gutierrez
Round Two: The round begins with Gutierrez attacking MacDonald with a high kick, Gutierrez starts attacking MacDonald with some more leg kicks. MacDonald comes forward and he takes a few swings at Gutierrez, Gutierrez keeps MacDonald at bay while peppering him with strikes. Gutierrez again attacks MacDonald with more high kicks, Gutierrez lands a spinning back kick to the midsection of MacDonald. MacDonald looks for a takedown and Gutierrez defends, MacDonald grabs Gutierrez and he gets him against the cage wall. Gutierrez cracks a swinging MacDonald with a counter right to the midsection as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gutierrez (Overall Score: 20-18 for Gutierrez)
Round Three: The round begins with MacDonald peppering Gutierrez with lefts, Gutierrez goes back to attacking MacDonald with leg kicks. MacDonald attacks Gutierrez with some leg kicks of his own, Gutierrez cracks MacDonald with a kick to the midsection. Gutierrez again nails MacDonald with a spinning back kick to the midsection, MacDonald charges forward and takes a few swings at Gutierrez. Gutierrez goes for a spinning elbow strike to the midsection of MacDonald, MacDonald grabs Gutierrez and gets him against the cage wall for a short time. Gutierrez drops for a heel hook and MacDonald gets top position on the ground, Gutierrez rolls for a guillotine choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gutierrez (Final Score: 30-27 for Gutierrez)
Official Result: Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#15 Randa Markos vs. Angela Hill
Round One: The round begins with Hill attacking Markos with a high kick, Hill also nails Markos with a kick to the midsection. Hill grabs Markos and gets her against the cage wall after landing a knee strike, Markos hits Hill with knee strikes and a counter right after separating. Markos scores a takedown on Hill and she gets side control, Markos gains back control on Hill while landing strikes. Markos rolls for an arm bar and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #15 Randa Markos def. Angela Hill by submission via arm bar (4:24, R1)
#5 Alexis Davis vs. Jennifer Maia
Round One: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Davis charges forward as the two swing at each other. Davis grabs Maia and gets her against the cage wall, Davis attacks Maia with knee strikes while in the clinch. The fighters separate and Maia attacks Davis with leg kicks, Davis again grabs Maia and gets her against the cage wall. Davis goes back to attacking Maia with strikes before separating, Maia gets free from Davis and she rocks her with a multiple strike combination. Davis tries pulling guard and Maia lets her stand back up, Maia rocks Davis again by landing multiple punching combinations. Davis grabs Maia again and gets her back against the cage wall, Maia spins Davis into the cage wall while they exchange some strikes and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Maia
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters instantly swinging away at each other, Davis attacks Maia with a kick to the midsection. Maia continues landing punching combinations against Davis, Davis starts using a variety of kicks against Maia. Davis scores a takedown on Maia and she gets full mount a short time later, Maia eventually gets Davis in her half guard while eating a few strikes. Davis attacks Maia with some ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters quickly swinging away at each other, Maia quickly attacks Davis with punching combinations. Davis also attacks Maia with a variety of kicks, Davis nails Maia with a kick to the midsection while eating a few counter strikes. Davis goes for a head kick and Maia counters with a combination of her own, Davis continuously nails Maia with kicks to the midsection. Davis trips up a swinging Maia with a low leg kick, Maia nails a kicking Davis with a two punch combination. Maia continues attacks a kicking v with counter strikes, Davis and Maia exchange a few rights to the face. Davis grabs Maia and gets her against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Davis lands a kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis (Final Score: 29-28 for Davis)
Official Result: Jennifer Maia def. #5 Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marlon Vera vs. Frankie Saenz
Round One: The round begins with Vera attacking Saenz with some leg kicks, Saenz charges forward and he swings wildly at Vera. Vera goes for a high kick and Saenz blocks it, Vera nails an incoming Saenz with a looping left hook. Vera drops a swinging Saenz with a counter left and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Marlon Vera def. Frankie Saenz by TKO via strikes (1:25, R1)
Bryce Mitchell vs. Bobby Moffett
Round One: The round begins with Mitchell attacking Moffett with some leg kicks, Moffett nails a kicking Mitchell with a counter right. Mitchell then hits Moffett with a left to the midsection, Mitchell rocks Moffett after landing a left and Moffett immediately gets him against the cage wall. Moffett goes for a takedown and Mitchell scrambles to get back control, Moffett continues moving and he gets top position on Mitchell. Mitchell rolls for a triangle choke and Moffett gets free to get the fight standing again, Mitchell gets a swinging Moffett against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Moffett swings away at Mitchell, Mitchell grabs Moffett and gets him back against the cage wall again. Moffett spins Mitchell into the cage wall and the two clinch as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mitchell
Round Two: The round begins with Moffett and Mitchell swinging at each other until Moffett scores a takedown, Moffett attacks Mitchell with some ground and pound. Mitchell scrambles to his feet and both fighters are standing again, Mitchell barely lands a spinning back kick to the midsection of Moffett. Moffett continues coming forward while swinging away against Mitchell, Moffett scores another takedown on Mitchell and he gets the half guard. Moffett rolls for a d’arce choke and Mitchell escapes to get top position, Mitchell gets the crucifix position while on the back of Moffett. Moffett scrambles and regains top position as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moffett (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters attacking each other with lefts, Mitchell charges at Moffett while throwing a few strikes. Moffett briefly hunts for the takedown against Mitchell before scoring one, Mitchell rolls for an arm bar and Moffett escapes to keep top position. Mitchell scrambles to his feet and he separates from Moffett, Moffett charges forward and swings at Mitchell before scoring another takedown. Mitchell scrambles and he finds a way to get back control on Moffett, Mitchell hunts for submissions and Moffett scrambles to his feet as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moffett (Final Score: 29-28 for Moffett)
Official Result: Bryce Mitchell def. Bobby Moffett by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
JJ Aldrich vs. Maycee Barber
Round One: The round begins with Aldrich swinging away at Barber, Barber responds by attacking Aldrich with a high kick. Aldrich drops a kicking Barber with a counter left, Barber gets back up and Aldrich takes a few more swings at her. Barber eats a few more strikes before attacking Aldrich with an elbow strike, Aldrich and Barber exchange straight lefts to the face. Aldrich cracks a kicking Barber with a counter right, Aldrich comes forward and she attacks Barber with combinations. Barber grabs Aldrich and she hits her with a knee strike, Aldrich continuously hits Barber with counter strikes. Barber backs up while trying to take some swings at Aldrich, Aldrich trips up Barber and Barber gets right back up. Aldrich lands a few more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Aldrich
Round Two: The round begins with Aldrich taking a few swings at Barber, Barber starts attacking Aldrich with some leg kicks. Aldrich pops a kicking Barber with a counter left, Aldrich grabs Barber and lands a few strikes after blocking a high kick. Aldrich then hits Barber with a straight right before eating a counter left, Barber then hits a swinging Aldrich with another counter right. Barber grabs Aldrich and she attacks her with elbow strikes, Barber rocks Aldrich with a left and she follows up by throwing a combination. Aldrich grabs Barber and gets her against the cage wall, Barber gets free and she attacks Aldrich with a combination that forces the referee to jump in.
Official Result: Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich by TKO via strikes (3:01, R2)
Luis Pena vs. Steven Peterson
Round One: The round begins with Peterson immediately attacking Pena with a superman punch, Peterson charges forward and he swings away at Pena. Peterson grabs Pena and gets him against the cage wall, Peterson scores a takedown on Pena and Pena gets right back up. Pena drags Peterson to the ground and Peterson rolls for arm bar, Pena slams Peterson to escape from the submission. Pena gets top position on the ground before posturing up, Peterson eventually traps Pena in his full guard. Peterson scrambles to his feet and Pena nails him with a right, Pena keeps Peterson against the cage wall while swinging away at him. The fighters separate and Peterson attacks Pena with leg kicks and a right, Pena then attacks Peterson with a flying knee strike. Peterson grabs Pena and gets him against the cage wall, Peterson and Pena exchange blows as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Pena
Round Two: The round begins with Peterson charging forward and a striking exchange breaks out, Peterson scores a takedown on Pena and he gets the open guard. Pena gets back up and Peterson jumps on his back, Pena gets Peterson off of him before landing a combination. Pena then hits an incoming Peterson with a right hook, Pena gets Peterson against the cage wall and Peterson quickly spins him. Peterson scores another takedown on Pena and Pena gets right back up, Peterson scores another takedown on Pena and Pena gets back up with Peterson on his back. Pena shakes Peterson off of his back and Pena lands a combination afterwards, Pena nails Peterson with an elbow strike and a flying knee strike. Peterson takes a few swings at Pena before getting him back against the cage wall, the fighters have a striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Pena (Overall Score: 20-18 for Pena)
Round Three: The round begins with Pena grabbing Peterson and getting him against the cage wall, Pena hits Peterson with a combo as they separate. Pena attacks Peterson with an uppercut followed by a head kick, Peterson grabs Pena and gets him against the cage wall. Peterson looks for the takedown and Pena briefly drags him to the ground, the fighters separate and Peterson gets Pena back against the cage wall. Pena drags Peterson to the ground and he goes for a kimura, Peterson escapes and gets top position on Pena. Pena sweeps Peterson and he gets top position, Peterson rolls for a heel hook and Pena defends by landing strikes. Peterson scrambles to his feet and Pena nails him with a head kick, Peterson grabs Pena and gets him back against the cage wall. Pena swings at Peterson as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Pena (Final Score: 30-27 for Pena)
Official Result: Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#1 Jussier Formiga vs. #4 Deiveson Figueiredo
Round One: The round begins with Formiga looking for a high kick against Figueiredo, Figueiredo attacks Formiga with a few leg kicks. Figueiredo then hits Formiga with some knee strikes while in the clinch, Figueiredo then hits Formiga with a kick to the midsection. Formiga attacks an incoming Figueiredo with a spinning back fist, Formiga tries clinching with Figueiredo and Figueiredo gets free each time. Formiga scores a takedown on Figueiredo and he gets the full guard. Formiga transitions to the half guard against Figueiredo, Figueiredo scrambles to his feet and Formiga holds him against the cage wall. Formiga scores another takedown on Figueiredo and he gets the full mount, Formiga attacks Figueiredo with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Formiga
Round Two: The round begins with Formiga attacking Figueiredo with some leg kicks, Figueiredo nails an incoming Formiga with a short right. Figueiredo comes forward and takes a few power swings at Formiga, Formiga scores a takedown on Figueiredo and he gets the full guard. Figueiredo takes some swings at Formiga while staying on his back, Formiga advances to the half guard against Figueiredo. Formiga maintains top position as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Formiga (Overall Score: 20-18 for Formiga)
Round Three: The round begins with Figueiredo cracking Formiga with a left, the fighters clinch and separate a few moments later. Figueiredo then pops Formiga with an uppercut to the chin, Formiga comes forward and he nails Figueiredo with a short right. Figueiredo charges forward and he swings wildly at Formiga, Formiga scores a takedown on Figueiredo and he gets the half guard. Formiga transitions to the full mount against Figueiredo, Formiga attacks Figueiredo with some ground and pound. Figueiredo scrambles to his feet and Formiga holds him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and they swing away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Formiga (Final Score: 30-27 for Formiga)
Official Result: #1 Jussier Formiga def. #4 Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
John Makdessi vs. Jesus Pinedo
Round One: The round begins with the fighters exchanging a few kicks, Makdessi starts attacking Pinedo with some leg kicks. Makdessi and Pinedo have a brief striking exchange near the cage wall, Makdessi goes for a spinning back kick against Pinedo. Makdessi trips up Pinedo before landing a short left, Makdessi cracks a kicking Pinedo with a counter right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Makdessi
Round Two: The round begins with Makdessi coming forward and Pinedo kicks him in the midsection, Makdessi starts attacking Pinedo with some leg kicks. Makdessi then nails Pinedo with a kick to the midsection, Makdessi comes forward and he attacks Pinedo with a variety of kicks. Pinedo goes for some high kicks and Makdessi blocks them all, Pinedo attacks Makdessi with a two punch combination. Makdessi then hits a swinging Pinedo with a counter right, Pinedo stuns Makdessi with a high kick during a wild striking exchange and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Makdessi (Overall Score: 20-18 for Makdessi)
Round Three: The round begins with Makdessi attacking Pinedo with some leg kicks, Makdessi goes for a high kick and Pinedo responds with one of his own. Pinedo backs up Makdessi by throwing a three strike combination, Pinedo comes forward and he takes a few swings at Makdessi. Pinedo looks to nail the kicking Makdessi with counter strikes, Pinedo nails a kicking Makdessi with a kick to the midsection. The fighters have a striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Makdessi (Final Score: 30-27 for Makdessi)
Official Result: John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
#4 Curtis Blaydes vs. #10 Justin Willis
Round One: Thew round begins with Blaydes attacking Willis with some leg kicks, Blaydes grabs Willis and gets him against the cage wall. Blaydes scores a takedown on Willis and he gets side control, Blaydes attacks Willis with a few strikes as he gets back up. Blaydes scores another takedown on Willis and Willis gets back up, Blaydes drags Willis back to the ground again. Blaydes attacks Willis with more strikes while holding him down, Willis gets back up again and Blaydes drags him back to the ground. Blaydes lands a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Blaydes
Round Two: The round begins with Blaydes rocking Willis with a straight right, Blaydes scores a takedown on Willis and he gets side control. Blaydes transitions to the full mount and then back control on Willis, Willis gets back to a knee as Blaydes lands more knee strikes. Blaydes drags Willis back to the ground and he regains back control, Blaydes attacks Willis with some more knee strikes. Willis gets back up and Blaydes suplexes him to the ground, Blaydes attacks Willis with some more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Blaydes (Overall Score: 20-18 for Blaydes)
Round Three: The round begins with Blaydes and Willis having a striking exchange, Blaydes starts attacking Willis with some leg kicks. Willis pops Blaydes with a few lefts to avoid a takedown, Blaydes grabs Willis and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Blaydes scores a takedown on Willis while gaining side control, Blaydes holds Willis down as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Blaydes (Final Score: 30-27 for Blaydes)
Official Result: #4 Curtis Blaydes def. #10 Justin Willis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
#3 Stephen Thompson vs. #8 (LW) Anthony Pettis
Round One: The round begins with Thompson attacking Pettis with a high kick, Pettis hits Thompson with a few kicks to the midsection. Pettis and Thompson exchange some leg kicks, Thompson starts attacking Pettis with striking combinations. Thompson nails Pettis with a kick to the midsection, Thompson and Pettis start exchanging body kicks as well. Thompson uses side kicks to keep Pettis at a distance, Thompson comes forward and attacks Pettis with punching combinations. Thompson attacks Pettis with a roundhouse kick that gets blocked, the fighters take a few swings at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Thompson
Round Two: The round begins with Pettis kicking Thompson in the midsection, Pettis and Thompson exchange some leg kicks. Thompson and Pettis also exchange some high kick attempts, Thompson starts cracking Pettis with some lefts. Thompson stays at a distance while picking Pettis apart with strikes, Pettis connects with a straight right on Thompson. Thompson sets up for a few high kicks against Pettis, Pettis destroys Thompson with a superman punch and follows up with a few strikes as Thompson goes out cold.
Official Result: #8 (LW) Anthony Pettis def. #3 Stephen Thompson by KO via superman punch (4:55, R2)
